July 2021

Almost there

We've made it this far through the COVID-19 Pandemic, just a little more time and it will be over. We're almost at the end. I hope everyone from Canada had a happy Canada on the first and the Americans will have a happy July 4th. Unfortunately the ornamental cedars came into bloom last month and they are still spreading pollen vigorously through the neighbourhood, which has created something of a problem for me. Cedars are one of the few things I am allergic to and their pollen always heads straight for my eyes. Thanks to the Covid-19 mask rules in Canada I have not really suffered from the nasal aspects of the allergy, but my eyes have really suffered. They suffered so much I was unable to look at text on either paper or screen to post an excerpt last month, for which I apologize. I have been using cold damp cloths and prescription eye drops to deal with the problem. It has been a major pain. I hope to have the excerpt for "Escape to Ellse Where" posted this month as soon as my eyes can maintain focus without itching or stinging. Due to the past month's experience, I think I will use my collection of masks during cedar pollen season every year from now on. They really helped from the sneezing and congestion standpoint of the allergy.
  I've been going through some of the short stories I wrote while creating the two characters I am currently using in the novel project I am writing at this time. I was thinking of sending them out to various literary magazines to see if they will publish them. I haven't decided on which magazines (or stories for that matter) as yet. I will post some more on that after I have a) received an acceptance for a chosen story and b) actually made up my mind on the point of which magazine and/or story. Odds are, if I can't decide I will probably do nothing until sometime next year. Either way, I will have to get my red, swollen and itchy right eye past the allergy season first.